Your Morning Dump... Getting to know Hassan and Solomon

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

If Wallace walks away and Perkins isn't ready to start the season, suddenly the Celtics have a frontcourt depth chart featuring just Garnett and Davis.

Boston can add emergency, low-cost big bodies in the mold of Williams through free agency. But a Boston team that got annihilated on the offensive glass during the Finals knows the importance of having quality bigs up front in order to compete for a title.

The Celtics could set their sights on Florida State's 7-foot-1 Solomon Alabi, whose long, athletic body and ability to block shots would add a jolt of youth to the Boston frontcourt. Or the Celtics could hope Marshall's 7-foot freshman Hassan Whiteside slides into the late teens.

ESPN Boston - Draftwise, Celtics could triumph

The geniuses at NBAdraft.net have Whiteside going to the Bulls at 17 and Alabi landing in Sacramento at 33. 

While the Celtics are desperate for big men, I'm wary about taking a young 7-footer who needs to bulk up and learn defensive rotations. Haseem Thabeet, last year's #2 pick, averaged 3 points and 3 rebounds in his rookie season.

My approach to this draft - The Celtics need a player who can make an immediate impact off the bench.

On Page 2, Chris Paul is a hot commodity.

The Memphis Grizzlies offered O.J. Mayo as part of a package for Paul recently, but talks went nowhere. League sources believe the New Jersey Nets are willing to part with the No. 3 pick and every player on their roster except for center Brook Lopez to obtain Paul. Also, the Portland Trail Blazers – who’ve long targeted Paul – are expected make a bid for Paul prior to the draft, a source said.

The San Antonio Spurs once had a chance to be frontrunners for Paul – if New Orleans ever felt compelled to make a trade – because they could offer an All-Star caliber point guard in Tony Parker. Nevertheless, the emergence of Darren Collison allows the Hornets to make a trade without taking back a point guard. Now, New Orleans could possibly improve itself at two positions – perhaps shooting guard and small forward – and get draft picks.

Yahoo! Sports - Hornets Paul draws interest as draft nears

The biggest part of this story is that LeBron James' agents are telling teams that acquiring Paul will dramatically improve their chances of signing LBJ.

This entire crop of super free-agents (James, Wade, Amare, Bosh) are taking leverage to a new level. It's not sitting well with me. It has that "inmates running the asylum" feeling.

The rest of the links:

Herald - Mapping out draft help | Globe - Rivers runs through it | ESPN Boston - Jordan Crawford draft profile | Solomon Alabi draft profile | WEEI - Mock draft | CSNNE - Potential Celtics pick: Hassan Whiteside | Offseason questions: Part two of a Big 3 | Celtics Blog - Bring back some familiar faces |